There’s been a string of questions pretty consistently that friends ask when they find our we’re pregnant. The first is usually “how are you feeling” shortly followed by “do you know what you’re having?”. I hear that technically you can find out the sex of your baby as early as 14 weeks, but my clinic waits until 20 when things are very certain.

Our last ultrasound technician gave her best guess, and at 12 weeks said things were looking “girly”. Most of my friends guessed girl, and Billy was having girl visions as well. I haven’t really had a feeling either way, although in the beginning I had a LOT of dreams about having a little boy, of course I also had dreams that Lady was our baby, soooooo yeah.

Having a boy first would be a huge relief. My husband is borderline obsessed with sports, and is the last one carrying on the family name. A boy is a must. Billy was really pulling for a girl though, and I have to say, we’ve had a run on boys lately, so most of the rest of the family was too. My mom is ready to unload all of my childhood dolls.

Heading into the office yesterday was like winning the lottery. We could hardly contain our excitement. We kept sneaking looks and giggles at each other,  the baby must have been exited too, kicks galore!

Without further ado… I’m so so exited to tell everyone that come February we will be bringing home a little….

BOY!!!!

Hello Brady William Boucock. Already such a blessing. We can’t wait to have little boy adventures, pee wee football games, forts, fishing, bugs, slimy things, and snuggles.

Hello world! Meet Andrew, born to adoring parents Tanya and Marty. You might remember meeting Tanya and Marty sometime back when we photographed their maternity session. We were all so excited to meet him, and apparently he couldn’t wait either! This little guy graced the world slightly early, and because he was so tiny, we waited until he got a little bit pudgier to take his newborn photos. While most of our newborns are photographed within the first 8 days of life, Andrew was just about 9 weeks when these images were taken. He was loving the camera, giving me all kinds of gorgeous stares. Love this little guy!

Congrats Tanya and Marty on your little gem. He’s a beaut!

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Meeting that someone in this fast paced world is easily one of the most difficult tasks we face. It’s always heart warming to hear the stories of my couples and how they connect and find each other. Because every story begins differently, I believe this process of how we connect and fall in love is what makes our family history unique and innately interesting. Brian and Roberta managed to find each other in a sea of other potential matches, more than found each other… they managed to fall in love and have a beautiful baby.

They tied the knot at one of my favorite venues, Semiahmoo Resort, on a gorgeous summer day surrounded by their closest family and friends. Roberta is Canadian (have I mentioned lately that I LOVE Canadians?), so the blend of cultures and accents was sublime. Her lovely taste is translated seamlessly in the elegant summery decor, and the beautiful view of the water and Canada just across the way is the cherry on top.

Brian and Roberta,

Thank you for your ease and hospitality and welcoming me into your family for the day. I had a wonderful afternoon photographing you, your family and friends.

I wish you all the best in life and love.

Warmly,

Laura

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He knew right away. She was gorgeous, put together, athletic and did I mention she was a Beaver fan? The first time they met, he knew.

Billy and Eric have been friends for years. They both grew up in the small town of Yoncalla, Oregon, population practically nothing. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and if you didn’t move there recently you’re probably distantly related to the person you’re dating. Those who are smart, leave the stump to find their soul mate. We were all a little concerned about Eric until we met Jesse, if I’m being perfectly honest here. He was a little too nice and attracted all the wrong kinds of women, but I suppose to be fair… at least they weren’t related to him.

The minute Billy and I met Jesse, we started in on Eric to propose. Sorry Jesse! ;-) She was perfect for him… maybe a little too perfect. Sweeter than sugar, easy to talk to, and she was already dating him so he had a leg up! She fit in with his friends, was smart, interesting, and loved the same sports team… can you imagine a Duck dating a Beaver? Me neither.

Eric and Jesse held hands and vowed their love and commitment to each other on a gorgeous summer day at The Ranch on Beaver Creek in Lebanon, Oregon. Little touches of Beaver orange are here and there, and the most important element, their friends and family were abound. It was a wonderful celebration of these two and their perfect mix. So extremely happy to say that Eric and Jesse are now husband and wife!

I stared across the room in disbelief. All three years this far, I had been in the lap of luxury, bunked in a cabin called Smith. It was like the castle of camp: indoor bathrooms, a little kitchen, HEAT… and all right across from my best friend Marie in Herron. Now they want to stick me out in Abrams? How was I supposed to survive way out in the woods away from her? Where I had to leave my cabin if I needed to pee… What if it was the middle of the night? Would there be animals trying to get in and steal my snacks? I’m positive there were spiders in it. As far as I knew, this particular cabin had a dirt floor, that was how primitive it was….

I wouldn’t know, because I refused to step foot in it. I narrowed my eyes and looked right into the camp directors soul. I cried, stamped my feet, and I think I actually threatened (albeit falsely) not to come to camp if he put me way out in Kuwait. Sound like your typical 13 year old?  No… I wasn’t 13, I was 17… WOW. I was convinced I needed to be at the heart of the action, in the middle of camp near people not raccoons. I got my way, which isn’t probably a good result to that kind of behavior. I think I scared him. I scared Marie too. She probably didn’t realize how much I loved her, until then. She definitely knew then.

Who wouldn’t love this face?

This is Mesha, Marie and I… Mesha was the third Musketeer.

And this is the three of us performing a choreographed interpretive dance to a mashup of “Big Spender” and Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now”. It’s priceless. There is a video somewhere… if anyone has it and could give it to me, I would love you forever.

Camp was something I looked forward to all year. I should be a national summer camp spokesperson, I love it so much I could have married it and had it’s children. There is always good food, belly laughs, and quality conversation with those you’ve missed all year long. I met some of my best lifelong friends through camp. As a child I went to every kind of camp I could convince my parents to send me to, day camp, overnight camp, 4-H camp, YMCA camp, church camp… and when I outgrew children’s camps I went through training to be a camp counselor. My children will go to camp every year… and they will love it.

This is one of my first cabin groups at an overnight camp I was a counselor at. I adored these girls, each one of them. I know they’re stronger women from the love and leadership they learned at camp. AND in case you’re wondering, they’re all huddled around a golden plunger. Don’t ask, you had to be there.

I’ve been too busy through college and my adult years to get away to a camp… sad face. The good news is, every interaction with Billy’s family is like a little morsel of summer camp. Summer camp for adults. This time of year we’re usually packing the car for a labor day weekend of non-stop craziness at Billy’s family reunion. For whatever reason it didn’t work out this year. I guess sometimes life gets in the way, things get to busy in our own little clusters… and the extra chaos just might put us over the edge. It’s always difficult as a wedding photographer to put a summer weekend aside for myself, but I crave this interaction. I need them, they’re a part of my soul, them AND the crazy.

photo by Amy McMullen

Today I’m celebrating all that summer camp has given me. Confidence, openness, leadership, love, social graces, certain professional crafting skills, and my Marie. I’m thankful for a family that brings me as much joy as camp does, and I’m missing them this weekend.

With love,

Laura